Your First Steps in Astronomy
Astronomy doesn't deserve its reputation as a tough, expensive hobby. You just need to start out with the right advice.

Words Ya Gotta Know
Take a few minutes to learn the most important astronomy terms.

Names of the Stars
Confused by the bizarre names that astronomers have given the stars? Here's where they come from and what they mean.

The Stellar Magnitude System
Why do larger numbers mean less light? Here's the story of astronomy's odd but beloved scheme for describing star brightnesses.

Understanding Celestial Coordinates
Right ascension and declination tell you where to point your telescope. But what do they really mean?

The Spectral Types of Stars
Without its spectral type, a star is a meaningless dot of light. With it, a star gains personality and a sense of history.

Fuzzies in Your Future: An Introduction to Deep-Sky Objects
Ready to voyage beyond the Solar System? Here's what you can see in our galaxy and beyond.

Names of Deep-Sky Objects
Expert observer Brian Skiff explains NGC, UGC, and everything in between.

Time and the Amateur Astronomer
While civil time is based on official edict, the cosmological clockwork follows its own rhythms.

Using a Naked-Eye Star Map
Just a couple hours spent learning to read a star map can open up the heavens for a lifetime of exploration.

Star-Finding with a Planisphere
How do you find out what stars are visible tonight? With a planisphere or "star wheel." It's easy!

The Art of Using a Telescope
Congratulations — you've followed our advice and bought the telescope that's best for you. Now learn how to get the most out of it.

Using a Map at the Telescope
The essentials of navigating the heavens with a telescope and a star atlas.

Secrets of Deep-Sky Observing
Here's how to hone your galaxy-hunting skills — and what to expect at the eyepiece.

Choosing Your First Telescope
A no-nonsense primer to an astronomical rite of passage.

Binoculars: Halfway to a Telescope
All you need to enjoy the wonders of the night sky is a pair of binoculars.

Choosing Binoculars for Stargazing
In less time than it takes to read them, you can perform these tests and judge the value of any binoculars, new or used.

Caring for Optics
When cleaning lenses and mirrors, the most important rule is the doctor's Hippocratic Oath: "First, do no harm."

Beating the Seeing
"Seeing" — the atmospheric quivering that fuzzes out high-power views — is the bane of every telescope user. Here's how to minimize its impact.

Dealing With Dew
How to keep your optics dry and clear even on the dampest, dewiest nights.

Four Infamous Telescope Myths
Here are some plausible-sounding "facts" about telescopes that turn out to be less than true.

The Observatories of Sky & Telescope
A smorgasbord of observatory ideas that may inspire you to build one of your own.

A Simple Backyard Observatory
In just a few weekends you can build yourself a remarkably useful telescope shelter.

How To Collimate Your Newtonian Reflector
Accurate optical alignment is neither difficult, mysterious, nor time-consuming. In fact, it's only three steps away.

Sky Photography with Just a Camera
Camera-only astrophotography can be surprisingly easy and satisfying.

Astro Imaging with Digital Cameras
Finally, there’s a way for anyone to take decent astronomical images through a telescope.

Deep-Sky Imaging with Digital Cameras
Today’s digital cameras are no longer limited to bright targets, such as the Sun, Moon, or planets. Even star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae are now fair game.

Planetary Observing With A Camcorder
Ever try holding a camcorder up top your telescope eyepiece? You may be amazed by the results.

Wide-Field Imaging with CCD Cameras
Here's how to capture panoramic digital views of the night sky using ordinary 35-millimeter camera lenses.

Tips for Photographing a Partial Solar Eclipse
Using a safe solar filter, it's easy to photograph a partial solar eclipse.

Observing and Photographing Lunar Eclipses
Lunar eclipses are leisurely affairs — a pleasure to watch and photograph.